Henin pulls out of China Open

Published September 17, 2006

BEIJING, Sept 16: Belgium's world No 2 Justine Henin-Hardenne has pulled out of next week's WTA China Open because of her Fed Cup commitments, organisers said on Saturday.

Henin, the losing finalist at the US Open last week, is playing for Belgium in the Fed Cup final against Italy in Charleroi this weekend.

World No 1 Amelie Mauresmo of France, however, is already in the Chinese capital, organisers told reporters at the draw for the $600,000 tournament at the Beijing Tennis Centre.

This week's ATP China Open lost two of its big draws when Spain's world No 2 Rafael Nadal, the defending champion, and Argentine David Nalbandian pulled out through injury and illness respectively.

—Reuters